Residents Want More Access To Beach Area

December 13, 1985|By Kelly Leon, Staff Writer

FORT LAUDERDALE — About 100 beach-area residents, hotel owners and former Spring Breakers, attending a town meeting Thursday at the Swimming Hall of Fame, agreed that the central beach area should be more accessible to walkers, runners and bikers.

The meeting, which sought residents` input on how to improve the quality of the central beach area, was sponsored by the city and Sasaki Associates Inc., the consulting firm conducting a $200,000 study on beach redevelopment.

``We would like to see the beach become a walking area and get the traffic off the beach,`` said Don Medalie, a 26-year beach resident and president of the Birch Park Finger Streets Association.

Richard Galehouse, Sasaki`s principal planner, agreed.

He also expressed concern that the beach has a negative image among city residents.

``Citizens in this area have to feel very possessive about the beach or it will begin to deteriorate,`` he said, suggesting that a section of the beach be blocked off for residents only.

Galehouse said he also was concerned that the beach ``doesn`t have an overall resort ambiance.`` He said the beach needs to reflect a beautiful, safe environment with several restaurant and shopping choices.

Sasaki has one year to complete its study, which is expected to produce an overall master plan, including capital improvements, public and private projects, cost and a timetable.